Adolescent and Theraputic Issues

After reviewing the videos: Adolescent Brain, Dr. Randal Pinkett on Judge Hatchett Show Mentoring a Teen, Wyoming Camp for Troubled Teens, and One Move At A Time. I noticed that all the video dealt with troubled teens who only needed a change in their environment and someone to encourage them and show them that they could do better. I think that we as adults are easily willing to give up on children in today's society, we are quick to say that they are trouble makers, uncontrollable, or even evil. But as mentioned in the Adolescent Brain video, the adolescent years are when the brain is producing more and more of the gray matter in the frontal lobe of the brain, which is referred to as the thinking part of the brain; unfortunately this is the time when adolescents are experimenting with drugs and risky behavior, and because we are quick to outcast them I think we are giving them the go ahead to carry out the behaviors that they display. As mentioned in the video, Adolescent Brain, if a child does not use the cells developing in their brains then they loose them, be it not being active, or drugs. If we look back during the 50's and 60's I don't think that children behavior was a difficult as it is today. I think that our values and services to children have changed. I can remember witnessing a child threaten his parents with social service, if they did not allow him to go the neighborhood dance. I think we have given the adolescents more freedom and less rules. children want discipline, but if they see that they can get away with something then that a chance that their willing to take. I think that adolescents have too much free time and need more positive activities in their lives

Assignment 9 of 9

After watching the videos; Heroin Addicts Speak, choice or Disease, Cross- Addiction: The Back Door to Relapse, and Killing the Pain. I think that you did a great job at showing that drug abuse can happen to any one not just some poor or uneducated person. I think these videos show how easy it is for someone to loose everything by abusing substances, and not recognize or seem to care that they're destroying their lives. I noticed that many of the participates in the videos were educated, had a great life, thought they had everything under control, and wished they could live a normal life. I did not agree with the choice argument that says that, " Addiction can't be a disease because drug taking is a behavior and all behaviors are choices." When I first entered this course I also thought that substance abuse was a behavior and not a disease. I think that by learning more about substances and the behavior of the human brain I may have to change my thoughts. In The video Choice or disease, a comparison was made between diabetes and substance abuse; which says, that substance abuse is a choice, and diabetes is not, but if we look at it, is diabetes not a choice? I mean our diet is a choice, I know some people can't help what they eat and what their genes pass on to them, just as some people's drug problems are not exactly their fault. I noticed in the Killing the Pain video, some of the abusers started out trying to alleviate pain. I don't know. I guess we all have our addictions or things that make us comfortable; just knowing when and how to control them is sometimes difficult.

Assignment 8 of 9

After reading through TIP 31. I notice that it is covered by different laws and social services, asses people 11 to 21 years old, and has a time limit for assessing adolescents. There are legal issues of screening and assessing teenagers, including confidentially, duty to warn, and how to communicate with other agencies. As mentioned in the reading, "Adolescents differ from adults both physiologically and emotionally..." so special assessments and screenings are necessary and needed to improve the services to adolescents. I think that if the resources and time is concentrated on adolescents then we can prevent them from becoming adult substance abusers. Unlike adults; adolescent have not yet fully developed physically, psychological, or emotional; which leaves them susceptible to psychological issues, while already dealing with the issues of being a teen; such as sexuality, egocentrism, and peer pressure.

Assignment 7 of 9

I think that the LOC cheat sheet is an excellent tool for providing guidance to health and social service providers. Not only does it inform the providers on how to plan and/or care for potential clients, it can also help facilities build the teams needed to provide the correct level of care for potential clients. Listed below are three of the many treatment centers located in Southeast Alaska:

1. Gateway Center for Human Services
Substance Abuse Services Division
3050 5th Avenue
Ketchikan, AK.99091
Primary focus: Mix of mental health and substance abuse services
services provided: Rehab for drugs and/or alcohol, Detoxification
Types of car: outpatient, Non-hospital residential(24hour)
special groups/programs: Adolescents, persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, women, men, DUI/DWI offenders, criminal justice clients.
Forms of payment accepted: self payment, medicaid, medicare, private insurance, military insurance (e.g., VA, TRICARE)
Payment Assistance: sliding fee scale (fee is based on income and other factors), payment assistance.

2. Juneau Recovery Hospital
Bartlett Regional Hospital
3250 Hospital Drive
Juneau, AK. 99801
Primary Focus: Drug and rehabilitation Services
Services Provided: Rehab for drug and/or alcohol, Detoxification
Type of care: outpatient, partial hospitalization/Day treatment, Hospital inpatient
Forms of Payment Accepted: self payment, medicaid, private health insurance, military insurance (e.g., VA, TRICARE)
Payment Assistance: sliding fee scale (fee is based on income and other factors)
Special Language Services: ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

3. Southeast AK. Regional Hlth Consortium
Ravens Way
222 Tongass Drive
Sitka, AK. 99835
Primary Focus: Drug and alcohol rehabilitation services
Services Provided: Rehab for drug and/or alcohol
Types of care: Non-hospital residential (24hour)
Special Programs/groups: Adolescents, persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders
Forms of Payments Accepted: Medicaid, Medicare, Private health insurance
Payment Assistance: Payment assistance

Assignment 6 of 9

I think that the reading from the ASAM Assessment Dimensions; although overwhelming, provides the health and human services field with up-to-date information which can help providers make well informed decisions with their patients and/or clients. The reading provides evidence reports, protocols, preventive medicine, and consensus reports; which, are all necessary in diagnosing, providing medicine or therapy, and informing the patients and/or clients. I know that most of the clients I've worked with in the past, say that they feel better after knowing that their provider has done his or her home work on the issues facing their health and/or needs, and by providing them with evidence and other ways to approach their medical or substance abuse needs they are able to obtain knowledge that will help them to make the necessary changes in their lives. In the end. I think that this assignment really arms me with the tools needed to research or find information in which I can provide clients with in the future; while also enhancing my competency, because we should always strive to learn more.

Assignment 5 of 9

After reading the stages of change,and chapter 4 of TIP35 I could not help but shake my head in agreement with the methods and procedures used to help substance abusers get on the road to recovery. From contemplation to relapse, this is a cycle that may play it self over and over again before a user is completely ready and able to stop abusing or using substances. I agree with reading, that providing more information is not always the better route to go with a substance abuser who is in the stage of precontemplation. I think that a person should be guided into the stages slowly, given the correct information as mentioned in the reading, and given as much time as needed to make the first steps to becoming independent of drugs and/or alcohol. I think giving them too much information may overwhelm them, and sometimes even cause the substance abuser to think that remaining on the substance is easier than taking in too much information. The substance abusers must realize for themselves the problems and grief caused by their abuse of drugs and/or alcohol, and want to make the necessary steps to help themselves. As mentioned in the readings, our goals in assisting abusers are to establish reporrt and trust, explore events that precipitated treatment entry, and commend clients for coming. I think that if these guidelines are practiced better in some establishments, there would be more successful recoveries. I think that most of the time stereo types and prejudice gets in the way of progress, which only leads to more devastation. I know from my experiences dealing with substance abusers most of them are always trying to see if your there to help them, or there to receive a pay check.

Assignment 4 of 9

After reading chapters 2 and 3 from TIP 35 I've found a new appreciation for clinicians and substance abuse counselors. I agree with the elements of current motivational approaches and found all approaches to be of great value for a substance abuse provider. I did not know that there are so many elements of effective motivation intervention. I feel that the frame approach, decisional balance exercises, discrepancies between personal goals and current behavior, flexible pacing, and personal contact with clients not in treatment are all excellent approaches in providing help to clients. The brief interventions used in emergency medical situations are also critical. I thought that the methods used in interviewing clients, giving responses to clients' questions, and allowing clients to make decisions on their own, by providing them with the necessary tool and information needed. I've always thought that the decision to seek help should be left up to the person needing the help. The reading says that a client's ambivalence should not be mistaken for denial. I think that most of the times when people are abusing drugs and/or alcohol there are underlining problems that need to be addressed, before a successful recovery can take place, and we should not prejudge clients based on their culture and positions in society. I did not know that there are certain ways to express empathy with clients based on their cultural background. I think this makes sense, especially since African Americans are apprehensive about dealing with the counselors and medical providers, due to past experiences, such as the Tuskegee Experiment. I found the methods in which the reading suggests that counselors avoid arguments with clients clever. Methods such as; "rolling with the resistance", and "agreeing with a twist". I think this really gives the client a sense of control over their treatment, and shows that its not about the counselors or medical providers. I remember when I use to work for a youth rehabilitation center in Memphis, TN. Our turn-over rate was so high, because the counselors could not deal with having a child talking back or using profanity towards them. I guess that they did not realize that it was not about them, and had they only applied the methods that they were taught they may have been able to deal with the situations that were presented to them. I found chapters 2 and 3 of TIP 35 to be a great motivation in improving relationships and treatment plans for the clients and the providers. I would want the principles and approaches used on me or my family members.